CVE-2016-10404 in Liferay
Summary
by MITRE
XSS exists in Liferay Portal before 7.0 CE GA4 via a crafted redirect field to modules/apps/foundation/frontend-js/frontend-js-spa-web/src/main/resources/META-INF/resources/init.jsp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10404 represents a cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Liferay Portal versions prior to 7.0 CE GA4. This vulnerability specifically manifests within the frontend-js-spa-web module where the application fails to properly sanitize user input in redirect parameters. The affected file init.jsp serves as a critical entry point where maliciously crafted redirect fields can be injected, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of a victim's browser session. The flaw stems from insufficient validation and sanitization of input parameters that are processed during the initialization phase of the single page application framework.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing a redirect parameter that includes embedded script tags or malicious JavaScript payloads. When the Liferay Portal processes this crafted redirect field, the unsanitized input gets rendered directly into the page without proper encoding or validation, creating an XSS vector that can be leveraged by threat actors. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a stored XSS scenario where the malicious content can persist and affect multiple users who encounter the vulnerable redirect mechanism. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it operates within the core frontend framework that handles navigation and application initialization, making it a high-value target for exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, manipulate application functionality, or redirect users to malicious sites. In a corporate environment using Liferay Portal, this vulnerability could allow unauthorized access to protected content, facilitate data exfiltration, or serve as a stepping stone for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects all versions prior to 7.0 CE GA4, indicating that organizations running older Liferay installations remain at risk. This issue particularly impacts web applications that rely heavily on client-side JavaScript frameworks and single-page application architectures, where proper input validation becomes critical for maintaining application security.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of this vulnerability by upgrading to Liferay Portal 7.0 CE GA4 or later versions where the input sanitization mechanisms have been properly implemented. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture, implementing proper content security policies, and conducting regular security assessments of frontend components. Security teams should also implement monitoring for suspicious redirect patterns and establish incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts. Additional protective measures include deploying web application firewalls, implementing strict input validation rules, and ensuring proper output encoding for all dynamic content. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of validating all user-supplied input in web applications and highlights the need for robust security practices in modern web frameworks that rely heavily on JavaScript-based navigation and content rendering.